San Francisco @ St. Louis preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 8, 2012 ) San Francisco 15, St. Louis 0

The San Francisco Giants have quite an act to follow when they complete a four-game series against the host St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday. The Giants routed the Cardinals 15-0 on Wednesday for the franchise’s largest shutout victory ever in St. Louis. San Francisco received a career-high seven RBIs from Marco Scutaro while winning for the fifth time in six games and maintaining its 1 1/2-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West.

The Cardinals hope shortstop Rafael Furcal (back) and first baseman Allen Craig (chest) will return to the lineup after sitting out Wednesday’s shellacking. St. Louis outfielder Jon Jay went 2-for-4 to raise his average to .452 against the Giants in 42 career at-bats. He is 8-for-12 in the series. Giants outfielder Hunter Pence had two hits and two RBIs as he settles in with the club. Pence was just 4-for-30 in his first seven games after San Francisco acquired him from the Philadelphia Phillies. Catcher Buster Posey has a 12-game hitting streak.

TV: 1:45 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet Bay Area (San Francisco), Fox Sports Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Madison Bumgarner (12-6, 3.03 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Adam Wainwright (9-10, 4.03)

Bumgarner allowed one run and five hits in six innings while beating the Colorado Rockies in his last outing. He has given up two or fewer runs in five consecutive starts. Bumgarner lost to the Cardinals on May 16 when he surrendered four runs and seven hits in 7 1/3 innings. He is 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA in three career outings against St. Louis.

Wainwright tossed his second complete game of the season while beating Milwaukee in his last outing. He held the Brewers to one run and five hits. Wainwright has struck out 28 and walked just two over his last four starts. He lost to San Francisco on May 17 when he allowed five runs (two earned) and six hits in 5 2/3 innings, and is 1-4 with a 3.35 ERA in seven career appearances (five starts) against the Giants.

WALK-OFFS

1. Santiago Casilla is no longer San Francisco’s closer after blowing five of his last 10 save opportunities. Right-hander Sergio Romo and southpaws Jeremy Affeldt and Javier Lopez will share the duties based on situations.

2. Furcal is batting .417 with a homer in 12 career at-bats against Bumgarner.

3. Pence is hitting .314 with one homer in 35 career at-bats against Wainwright.